US May pork exports highest in two years

Led by another outstanding month in Mexico and robust demand for variety meat, exports of US pork continued to gain momentum in May, according to data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF.

May pork exports reached 261,361 metric tons (mt), up 16% from a year ago, the ninth largest on record and the largest since May 2021. Export value climbed 12% to $731.1 million, also the highest since May 2021 and the seventh highest on record. Pork variety meat exports were particularly outstanding in May, setting a value record of $127 million.

Through the first five months of the year, pork and pork variety meat exports were 14% above last year’s pace at 1.22 million mt, valued at $3.35 billion (up 13%).

“While pork shipments to Mexico are on a remarkable pace, it takes a wide range of markets to achieve double-digit growth,” explained Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO. “Demand is strong throughout the Western Hemisphere and the US industry continues to make gains in Asian markets where supplies of European pork are much tighter than a year ago.”

Tags: variety meat, exports, pork, meat, Mexico, US, markets, demand